TECHMASH

Tag: #SurvivalGames

  • “The Weirdest Camping Trip You’ve Ever Been On”: Icelandic Ocean Survival Game ‘Nokai’ Drops Playable Demo

    “The Weirdest Camping Trip You’ve Ever Been On”: Icelandic Ocean Survival Game ‘Nokai’ Drops Playable Demo

    The survival genre is filled with games that ask you to chop down a forest, build a massive fortress, and stay put. But what if a survival game forced you to keep moving through a beautiful, decaying world?

    Icelandic solo developer Hrafnkell “Keli” Þrastarson and indie studio Pretty Potato Games have just dropped a playable Steam demo for Nokai, a gorgeous, eerie, open-world ocean survival adventure that flips the script on traditional survival tropes.

    What is Nokai?

    Set 700 years after a mysterious calamity drowned the world, Nokai washes you ashore with no memory in a world ruled by violent storms, twisted wildlife, and rusted machinery rotting beneath the waves.

    To survive, you must rebuild a ship, sail through treacherous waters, and hunt an ancient evil that is actively poisoning the ocean.

    According to Þrastarson, the game is meant to channel a very specific vibe:

    “I wanted to make something that feels like the weirdest camping trip you’ve ever been on with your friends, with something in the water that is constantly watching and pushing you or your group to keep moving through the world.”

    Survival with Forward Momentum

    Unlike games where you settle down permanently, Nokai is entirely focused on forward momentum and exploration.

    Your ship acts as your primary vehicle and mobile base, requiring constant repairs, customisations, and crucial upgrades to reach more distant, dangerous islands. Instead of a mega-base, you’ll establish temporary camps across the world to gather resources, recover, and prepare for the perilous journey north.

    Key Features to Check Out in the Demo:

    • Solo or 5-Player Co-op: Take on the unforgiving ocean alone or crew a ship with up to four friends in online co-op.
    • Handcrafted Exploration: Discover diverse, uncharted islands packed with unique resources, hidden secrets, and environmental storytelling.
    • Intense Maritime Combat: Fight off unique, bizarre creatures and enemies across different oceanic regions.
    • Ship Progression: Upgrade and customise your vessel to survive harsher weather and deadlier waters.

    Supported by Innovation, Heading to Steam Next Fest

    Development on Nokai began back in 2021, backed by Iceland’s prestigious Rannís innovation grant. The game is currently gearing up for a major showcase at the Steam Next Fest in October 2026, ahead of its planned Early Access launch.

    If you want a taste of this hauntingly beautiful oceanic odyssey, the playable demo is available to download right now on PC via Steam. Go grab your crew, upgrade your ship, and see how long you can survive what lurks beneath the waves.

    Have you played the Nokai demo yet? Let us know what you think of this fresh take on ocean survival in the comments below!

    Find out more here

    #Nokai #PrettyPotatoGames #IndieGames #SurvivalGames #GamingNews #CoOpGaming #PCGaming #SteamNextFest #TechMash

  • The Ultimate Test of Survival Goes Portable: DayZ is Coming to Nintendo Switch 2!

    The Ultimate Test of Survival Goes Portable: DayZ is Coming to Nintendo Switch 2!

    The legendary grandfather of the open-world zombie survival genre is officially packing its bags and heading to Nintendo’s highly anticipated next-generation hardware. Bohemia Interactive has announced that DayZ is making its way to the Nintendo Switch 2 later this year!

    For a game that originally started as a humble PC mod and went on to spawn an entire genre of gaming, this portable leap marks a massive milestone. Whether you are a hardened veteran who has survived a thousand cold nights in Chernarus or a complete newcomer curious about the hype, the wasteland is about to get a whole lot bigger—and much more accessible.

    A Massive Active Community is Waiting For You

    If you thought DayZ was a relic of the past, think again. The game continues to boast tens of thousands of daily active users across PC, Xbox, and PlayStation. Its brutal, uncompromising approach to survival has kept it firmly on the map.

    By launching on the Nintendo Switch 2, Bohemia Interactive is opening the floodgates for a brand-new wave of survivors. This port offers a completely unique way to challenge yourself: you can now scavenge for supplies, patch up wounds, and avoid hostile players while on your morning commute or lounging on the couch.

    What to Expect: The “Cool Edition Bundle” & Next-Gen Features

    This isn’t just a bare-bones port thrown onto handheld hardware. DayZ will arrive on the Switch 2 as part of the Cool Edition Bundle, giving players access to both the classic base game and the icy, unforgiving landscapes of the DayZ Frostline expansion.

    Thanks to the beefed-up capabilities of Nintendo’s new console, the developers are tailoring the experience specifically to the hardware. Survivors can look forward to:

    • Gyro Controls: For precision aiming when every bullet counts.
    • Joy-Con Mouse Mode: Offering more intuitive inventory management—a crucial mechanic in a game where organising your backpack quickly can mean the difference between life and death.
    • Mature Gaming Sandbox: The release aligns with Nintendo’s broader push to bring deeper, more mature, hardcore multiplayer experiences to its ecosystem.

    No Hand-Holding. No Extra Lives.

    For the uninitiated, DayZ is famous for its strict philosophy: there is no hand-holding. > There are no mini-maps, no waypoints, no built-in tutorials, and absolutely no save states. If you die of starvation, infection, or a bullet from a betrayal by a “friendly” stranger, you lose everything and start back on the coast with nothing but a bandage and a glow stick.

    It is a pure, player-driven narrative sandbox where every choice matters. The long-standing community is already being encouraged to help guide the incoming Nintendo rookies—but in the world of DayZ, trust is the rarest resource of all.

    Will you survive the infected, the elements, and your fellow players on the go? We’ll find out when DayZ drops on the Nintendo Switch 2 later this year.

    Are you ready to test your survival skills on the Switch 2, or will you be hunting down the new players on the coast? Let us know in the comments below!

    Source – https://dayz.com/

    #DayZ #NintendoSwitch2 #Switch2 #GamingNews #BohemiaInteractive #SurvivalGames #GamingCommunity #TechMash #HandheldGaming #Chernarus

  • RuneScape Goes Portable: Dragonwilds Locked In for Nintendo Switch 2 This September!

    RuneScape Goes Portable: Dragonwilds Locked In for Nintendo Switch 2 This September!

    Nintendo just wrapped up its latest Nintendo Direct showcase, and boy, did it deliver a massive bombshell for survival-crafting fans. Jagex—the masterminds behind the iconic RuneScape universe—dropped the official release date for their breakout multiplayer survival game, RuneScape: Dragonwilds.

    Grab your calendars, because the untamed lands of Ashenfall are coming to the Nintendo Switch 2 on 15th September, 2026!

    Bringing Gielinor to the Next-Gen Handheld

    Having already surpassed an impressive one million copies sold during its Steam Early Access run, RuneScape: Dragonwilds is ready to make its grand debut on Nintendo hardware for the very first time.

    The game shifts the classic high-fantasy lore of RuneScape into a completely fresh, open-world survival experience. Whether you choose to brave the wilds solo or squad up in co-op teams of up to four, you will find yourself exploring the continent of Ashenfall—a beautiful yet fractured land marred by unstable, wild magic and terrifying beasts.

    Jesse America, Executive Producer of RuneScape: Dragonwilds, shared the team’s excitement following the Nintendo Direct announcement:

    “RuneScape: Dragonwilds was built around player freedom allowing them to explore, grind skills, craft, and create unforgettable adventures together. Nintendo Switch 2 gives players a whole new way to experience the continent of Ashenfall, whether they’re jumping into co-op sessions with friends or continuing their journey on the move.”

    What to Expect in Dragonwilds

    If you’ve spent years grinding Woodcutting in Varrock, forget what you know. Dragonwilds blends iconic lore with hardcore survival mechanics, where magic is your ultimate tool for staying alive.

    • Survival Through Sorcery: The anima-rich landscape lets you use magic for everyday survival. Need materials? Summon a spectral axe to clear a forest instantly. In a tight spot? Snap your fingers to detonate ore veins or blink away in a cloud of smoke. Yes, you can even turn bones into peaches.
    • The Ultimate Dragon Hunt: Ashenfall is crawling with fierce dragons. Players must level up classic skills, brew vital potions, and forge custom equipment to battle their way toward the ultimate endgame threat: the Dragon Queen herself.
    • Familiar Foes & Fresh Faces: Prepare to battle classic RuneScape creatures like Zogres, challenge the Black Knights, and square off against an entirely new, fearsome threat known as the Garou.
    • A Nostalgic Soundtrack: Your journey will be scored by a sweeping soundtrack featuring beautifully re-orchestrated RuneScape classics alongside hours of brand-new music.

    Mark Your Calendars: 15th September

    The 15th September launch is shaping up to be a monumental day for Jagex. Not only is the game hitting the Nintendo Switch 2, but it will also leave Early Access for its full 1.0 launch on PC (Steam and Epic Games Store), PlayStation 5, and Xbox Series X|S. Even better? Full cross-platform functionality means you can team up with your mates, no matter what platform they play on.

    With Nintendo’s next-gen hardware powering the adventure, gathering resources, building shelters, and slaying dragons on the go is about to look incredibly smooth.

    Are you ready to explore Ashenfall on the Switch 2? Let us know in the comments below if you’ll be playing solo or building a squad!

    Source – https://dragonwilds.runescape.com

    #RuneScapeDragonwilds #NintendoDirect #NintendoSwitch2 #Jagex #RuneScape #SurvivalGames #CoOpGaming #GamingNews #TechMash

  • Big Adventures, Tiny Scale: Smalland 2: Lost Realms Officially Announced!

    Big Adventures, Tiny Scale: Smalland 2: Lost Realms Officially Announced!

    Great news for survival fans who like their worlds massive and their protagonists miniature! Maximum Entertainment has officially announced Smalland 2: Lost Realms, the next highly anticipated instalment in the beloved pint-sized open-world survival adventure franchise.

    If you thought surviving the wilds was a big task the first time around, gear up—because the miniature universe is getting a whole lot larger.

    A Journey Back: Life Before the Giants

    Interestingly, Smalland 2: Lost Realms isn’t a direct sequel, but a prequel. The game transports players back to a mythical era ages before the Giants arrived and colonised the land.

    As a member of the Smallfolk, you’ll be dropped into an ancient world filled with elemental creatures, forgotten civilisations, and mysterious lands. A dark prophecy foretelling a global catastrophe hangs over the world, and it’s up to you to uncover ancient secrets and stop the impending doom.

    What’s New in the Lost Realms?

    Maximum Entertainment is pulling out all the stops to build on the foundations of the original game. Here is what players can look forward to:

    • Next-Gen Visuals: Powered by Unreal Engine 5, the game features stunning new environments brought to life with enhanced visuals, richer detail, and improved environmental effects.
    • Upgraded Exploration: Get ready for a brand-new crafting system, alongside vastly improved water traversal and climbing mechanics, allowing you to navigate the terrain like never before.
    • Creature Companionships: The creature-taming system has been completely revamped. You can now bond deeply with a wider variety of vibrant creatures, unlocking powerful companion abilities to assist you on your journey.
    • Build and Trade: Survival isn’t just about hiding anymore. Players can build outposts across diverse regions and establish thriving trade routes between distant lands to help the Smallfolk civilisation evolve.

    Survive Together: Best of all, you don’t have to brave these tiny perils alone. Smalland 2: Lost Realms fully supports 10-player online co-op multiplayer, meaning you and your entire squad can build, craft, and fight together.

    Release Window and Platforms

    The wait won’t be long for most players! Smalland 2: Lost Realms is scheduled to launch later this year on:

    • PC (via Steam and the Epic Games Store)
    • PlayStation 5
    • Xbox Series X|S

    For the handheld crowd, Maximum Entertainment also confirmed that a Nintendo Switch 2 version is actively planned and will be arriving in 2027.

    Time to dust off your makeshift beetle armour and prepare to explore the ancient world of the Smallfolk!

    Source – https://s.team/a/4761940

    #Smalland2 #LostRealms #GamingNews #SurvivalGames #MaximumEntertainment

  • From Clicks to Crafting: Why RuneScape: Dragonwilds is the Survival Game We Didn’t Know We Needed

    From Clicks to Crafting: Why RuneScape: Dragonwilds is the Survival Game We Didn’t Know We Needed

    For 25 years, the name RuneScape has conjured up very specific mental images: clicking on willow trees for hours, running away from the Wilderness Zamorak mages, and asking strangers to trim your armour (please don’t fall for it).

    But Jagex is doing something wildly unexpected, and it’s officially time to pay attention. Fresh off the massive announcements at Summer Game Fest 2026, the studio has confirmed that its breakout open-world survival crafting spin-off, RuneScape: Dragonwilds, is officially leaving Steam Early Access and hitting a full 1.0 release on September 15, 2026.

    Not only is it coming to PC, but it is making history by launching on PlayStation 5 (as a Day One launch on PS Plus Extra/Premium) and Xbox Series X|S. Yes, you read that right—a RuneScape title is finally debuting on consoles.

    If you’re wondering whether this is just a reskinned Valheim or another tedious survival grind, here is why Dragonwilds is shaping up to be one of the most exciting departures the franchise has ever taken.

    Welcome to Ashenfall: No Nostalgia Required

    The absolute best part about Dragonwilds? You don’t need to know your Zaros from your Guthix to play it.

    The game drops you (either solo or in a co-op team of four) onto an entirely new, undiscovered continent named Ashenfall. The lore is fresh, the landscape is rich with untamed “anima” magic, and you play as an original character.

    That being said, long-time fans will find plenty of brilliant nods to the franchise’s DNA. You’ll be exploring hand-crafted biomes, completing quests, and battling legendary creatures like Zogres, Black Knights, and the fearsome Garou.

    “Survival-Light” Meets Sorcery

    Let’s be honest: some survival games feel more like a second job. Keeping track of calorie intakes, hydration levels, and body temperature can sometimes suck the fun out of exploring.

    Jagex has explicitly pitched Dragonwilds as a “survival-light” experience. There are no tedious hunger bars to baby. Instead, the focus is squarely on gathering, building, levelling up your skills, and using a highly unique magic system called Survival Through Sorcery.

    Because Ashenfall is bursting with wild magic, you can harness the environment in incredibly fun ways:

    • Need lumber? Don’t just chop—summon a spectral axe to fell an entire grove in seconds.
    • Getting swarmed? Blink out of danger in a cloud of magic.
    • Need resources? Snap your fingers to explode ore veins, or literally conjure a tornado of fish out of a nearby lake.

    It takes the classic RuneScape “skilling” grind and turns it into a fast-paced, magical playground.

    What’s Coming at Launch? > When the 1.0 version drops this September, it’s not just the base game. It will include the brand-new Scorned Wilderness update alongside all the content from the upcoming Umbral Sands expansion.

    The Ultimate Goal: Slaying the God Eater

    You aren’t just building a cosy log cabin to admire the scenery. There is a looming threat over Ashenfall: the dragons have awoken.

    Your entire progression loop—brewing potions, forging high-tier gear, and unlocking devastating spells—is designed to help you follow a trail of destruction. Your ultimate target? Kuldra the God Eater, a terrifying Dragon Queen who will require serious co-op coordination (and a lot of high-level food) to take down.

    Why It’s Worth Your Time

    Having already surpassed 1 million copies sold during its PC Early Access phase, the community-driven roadmap has clearly struck a chord. Jagex has been listening intently to player feedback, polishing the combat, and preparing for a massive multi-platform launch.

    Whether you are a seasoned Gielinor veteran looking for a fresh perspective or a survival fan who just wants to blow up iron ore with magic, RuneScape: Dragonwilds deserves a spot on your wishlist before the September madness begins.

    Source

    #RuneScapeDragonwilds #GamingNews #SurvivalGames #Jagex #ConsoleGaming

  • Drive to Survive: AWAY Creators Reveal ‘Venus: The Last Ascent’ with a Playable Steam Demo

    Drive to Survive: AWAY Creators Reveal ‘Venus: The Last Ascent’ with a Playable Steam Demo

    Remember AWAY: The Survival Series, the gorgeous game that let you glide through a living, breathing nature documentary as a tiny sugar glider? Well, the developers at Breaking Walls are back, and they are trading the lush earthly canopy for the crushing, toxic atmosphere of our closest planetary neighbour.

    The studio has officially announced its next big project: Venus: The Last Ascent.

    If you love hard sci-fi, high-stakes engineering, and the constant threat of atmospheric implosion, this is one to put on your radar immediately. Best of all? You don’t have to wait to try it.

    Your Base is Your Ride

    Venus: The Last Ascent turns the traditional survival-crafting genre on its head with a killer hook: your base is also your vehicle. Instead of building a stationary cabin and wandering away to gather wood, you are piloting a massive, customizable mobile rig across the brutal, unforgiving Venusian landscape. To survive, you’ll need to master realistic, physics-based driving mechanics while managing your rolling fortress.

    Here is what we know so far about the gameplay loop:

    • Physics-Based Hazards: Venus isn’t just hot; it’s a crushing pressure cooker. Navigating treacherous terrain while managing the weight and momentum of your mobile base is a core challenge.
    • Upgrades on the Move: You’ll need to scavenge for resources to reinforce your hull, upgrade your life support, and modify your vehicle to climb higher and escape the planet’s deadly surface.
    • The Ultimate Ascent: The goal is right there in the title. You are fighting against time and gravity to climb out of the Venusian hellscape.

    It sounds like a brilliant mix of Subnautica’s tense atmospheric survival and Pacific Drive’s intimate vehicle-management mechanics.

    Play the Demo Right Now!

    Breaking Walls isn’t making us wait for a distant release date to see how this feels in action. Ahead of the game’s official showcase at Steam Next Fest (which kicks off on June 15, 2026), the studio has dropped a playable demo on Steam today.

    If you want to get an early taste of the physics, the sci-fi atmosphere, and the anxiety of keeping a giant metal box running in a toxic wasteland, head over to Steam and download it now.

    TechMash Verdict: Breaking Walls proved they can nail atmosphere and immersive perspective with AWAY. Moving into physics-based sci-fi survival feels like an ambitious, exciting leap forward. Don’t sleep on this demo!

    Source – https://s.team/a/2640150

    #SciFiGaming #SteamNextFest #IndieDev #SurvivalGames #VenusTheLastAscent

  • Howling Hamster Entertainment releases demo for Sub-Species

    Howling Hamster Entertainment releases demo for Sub-Species

    Get ready to dive deep! Howling Hamster Entertainment has officially released the playable demo for Sub-Species, and it’s time to see if you have what it takes to survive the subterranean depths.

    Check out the details below:

    Why You Need to Play the Demo

    • Immersive Atmosphere: Experience the tension of a world buried beneath the surface.
    • Unique Mechanics: Get a first-hand look at the tactical gameplay and survival elements.
    • Shape the Game: Your feedback during this demo phase helps the devs polish the final experience!

    About Sub-Species

    Sub-Species is an atmospheric survival horror/action title that challenges players to navigate claustrophobic environments filled with biological terrors. It’s gritty, it’s intense, and it’s finally ready for a test drive.

    “The depths are calling. Will you answer, or will you become part of the ecosystem?”

    Play it Now!

    The demo is available for download on https://Sub-Species.com or https://store.steampowered.com/app/3779120/SubSpecies/

    Grab your gear, watch your back, and let us know what you think in the comments!

    #SubSpecies #HowlingHamster #games #gaming #gamers #videogames #IndieDev #GamingNews #HorrorGaming #SurvivalGames #GameDemo

  • ASTROBOTANICA science is your best survival tool!

    ASTROBOTANICA science is your best survival tool!

    Tired of survival games that are all about combat? Meet ASTROBOTANICA, the upcoming “relaxed survival” adventure from the veterans behind Green Hell and Dying Light!

    In this gorgeous open-world journey, you aren’t a soldier—you’re Xel, an alien botanist who has crash-landed on Earth 300,000 years ago. Instead of just fighting to stay alive, you’ll use your scientific knowledge to thrive in the Pleistocene era.

    What makes this game a must-play?

    • Botanical Mastery: Research prehistoric plants and brew medicinal tonics to stay healthy.
    • First Contact: Meet and build relationships with early humans (Neanderthals!).
    • Alien Biology: Manage your unique needs, like keeping your CO2 levels stable in Earth’s oxygen-rich atmosphere.
    • Create Your Sanctuary: Build a base and cultivate a lush garden amidst the wild, ancient landscape.

    Whether you love deep crafting systems or just want to explore a beautiful, prehistoric world at your own pace, ASTROBOTANICA is blooming with potential.

    Early Access launches February 16, 2026!

    Which prehistoric creature or plant are you most excited to discover? Let us know in the comments!

    Find out more here – https://www.astrobotanicagame.com/

    #games #gaming #gamers #videogames #Astrobotanica #SpaceGoblinStudio #SurvivalGames #IndieGames #GamingNews #PrehistoricEarth #CozySurvival

  • New Demo for Primal Reign: The Age of New Kings

    New Demo for Primal Reign: The Age of New Kings

    In Primal Reign, every roar in the distance is a threat, and every fire lit is a beacon for enemies. We are entering the Age of New Kings, where only the strongest bloodlines survive.

    Will you be a forgotten ancestor, or a legend of the Primal Reign?

    The Hunt Begins.

    Forget what you know about survival. In Primal Reign: The Age of New Kings, you aren’t just surviving the prehistoric wild—you’re conquering it.

    • Build your tribe from the ground up.
    • Tame massive beasts that others fear.
    • Clash with rival kings for ultimate territory.

    The throne is empty. Will you take it, or will the jungle take you?

    To find out more – https://store.steampowered.com/app/1085730/Primal_Reign__The_Age_of_New_Kings/

    #PrimalReign #NewKings #GamingCommunity #SurvivalGames #PrehistoricEra #TheGamesShed #IndieGames #games #gaming #PrimalReignTheAgeofNewKings #games #videogames

  • Solarpunk Demo Coming to Steam Next Fest

    Solarpunk Demo Coming to Steam Next Fest

    It is okay for developers to talk up their games, but for players, there is only one real way to check the game out with a demo and this is exactly what the Solarpunk developers are offering when the game demo is launched on Steam Next Fest on the 24th of February to the 3rd of March. Players will be able to get into their airships and fly across the lands that are full of floating islands just waiting to be explored.

    To find out more about the Solarpunk game go to the official game website here https://shorturl.at/Uk2LD of go to the games page on Steam here https://shorturl.at/6VrHT

    #Solarpunk #Steam #SteamNextFest #GameDemo #Gaming #Gamers #Rokaplay #Cyberware #OpenWorldGame #PCGames #SurvivalGames